What is Meniscus Arthroscopy?

Meniscus arthroscopy is a type of surgical procedure that may be performed to diagnose and treat a torn cartilage in the knee joint. The procedure is typically done using fine surgical tools. This technique is considered less traumatic than surgical methods that involve opening the knee. Usually, meniscus arthroscopy is carried out as outpatient treatment, and the patient can be released after recuperating in the hospital for a few hours. Pain medication is normally prescribed for some days after the surgery to ease the discomfort.

Arthroscopic surgery is a treatment option that may be recommended if the meniscus, which is a cartilage in the knee joint, suffers a tear. A torn meniscus could result from a sports injury or any physical activity involving forceful or sudden twisting movement. The degree of the tear can vary. The cartilage injury might cause some knee pain and swelling. In some cases, a patient could experience significant pain, have difficulty bending the knee, or hear a clicking sound when the knee is moved.

A doctor generally considers the severity of the patient’s symptoms, and checks the range of motion of the knee joint to diagnose the injury. Additional tests that include a knee x-ray or an MRI may be recommended to assess the cartilage tear. Sometimes arthroscopy could be performed to get a better view of the joint and damage to the meniscus. In which case, the torn meniscus can be diagnosed and treated simultaneously.

Surgical repair may be necessary if the knee cartilage suffers a major tear. Meniscus arthroscopy customarily involves the insertion of an arthroscope, a narrow fiber optic tube connected to a camera to see inside the knee joint. The procedure is typically conducted using tiny surgical instruments through minute incisions in the skin covering the knee. The surgery is usually done under either general or local anesthesia.

The orthopedic surgeon may repair the torn cartilage with stitches, if the section of the meniscus has adequate blood supply to enable healing. Alternatively, the surgeon might take out just the torn fragments of the meniscus and pare the edges of the intact tissue to facilitate smooth joint movement. The surgeon could excise the damaged meniscus entirely, but this treatment choice is not preferred, as it can make the knee more susceptible to osteoarthritis.

Generally, the patient spends a few hours in the hospital’s recovery room after the operation. The surgeon usually prescribes medication for post operative pain. Application of a cold pack may be suggested to alleviate swelling around the site of the surgery. The patient might be advised to keep the knee elevated in the days following the meniscus arthroscopy. Post operative care includes keeping the operated area clean and dry, and changing the bandages as per the doctor’s instructions.

Frequently, a patient is referred to a physiotherapist to rehabilitate the knee after the arthroscopy. The physiotherapist may put a patient through a course of exercises to help restore range of motion and improve muscle strength. It may take two to four weeks to resume regular activities following the surgery. In general, it is advisable to follow the doctor’s advice on resumption of normal or strenuous activity after undergoing meniscus arthroscopy.